Choosing a wedding ring will always be a task that border on fun and frustration; the former as you and your significant other look through all the gorgeous designs, the latter when budget and individual choice comes to mind.

The custom of wearing a wedding ring is itself a European custom, but is now assimilated in contemporary wedding ceremonies, regardless of culture and tradition. In its original culture, it is a symbol of long-lasting love and commitment towards one’s spouse. Thus, the ring must be one enduring piece of jewelry that could last you all your lifetime, be it platinum or gold.

Types of Wedding ring A wedding ring can actually come in a variety of design and shapes. Having it with diamonds is a more of a present-day norm. In fact, wedding rings a few hundred years ago are only plain bands of precious metal, gold or silver usually. However, modern day trends, with the aid of technology, have come up with more variety. Among the top choices for metals are:

Yellow gold is the classic choice of metal for wedding rings. It is the traditional symbol of the love and warmth in a happy marriage, as well as wealth. There are gold of 14K, 18K and 24K, with 24K being the purest, as well as softest, due to its low alloy mixture content.

White Gold

Alloy of gold with silver, nickel or palladium will usually produce what we know as white gold, as the silver gives the gold its tint of white. Durability depends on the alloy mixture—nickel alloy are usually more durable than palladium alloy; but the price tag will always be lower than platinum’s. However, white gold is not suitable for people with skin allergic as metals in the alloy (e.g. nickel) can cause allergic reaction to its wearer 9usually skin discomfort or rashes).  

Colored Gold

Colored gold here refers to gold alloys that come in colors aside from white and classic yellow. These will include rose gold (also known as Russian gold, red or pink gold), green gold and black gold, which are more commonly used in jewelry. Durability and price range may vary according to each alloy, which usually are used in handmade jewelry for more intricate designs.

Platinum

Among the precious metals, platinum is the hardest, the most stylish and also the most expensive. Due to its durability (which is better than any gold) platinum is also a well-known symbol for enduring love. Since platinum is rarely mixed with any other lesser metal, it is suitable for people who have skin allergies towards metals such as nickel, which are usually present in white gold.

Gemstones Options While diamond is the most commonly used gem for wedding rings, it is not compulsory. Couples who like for more colorful designs can opt for other stones such as rubies, sapphires, emeralds, or even colored diamonds. Here is a list of gemstones commonly used in wedding rings and their ratings on the Moh Scale (the harder the stone, the bigger its number):